US 9,757,934 B2Granted

Overlay applicator and method of using the same

AssigneeBelkin International, Inc.

InventorJohn F. Wadsworth

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An overlay applicator can include an overlay with a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side can include an adhesive agent configured to adhere to a screen of an electronic device. The overlay applicator can include an adhesive release liner. The adhesive release liner can include a top side and a bottom side. The top side of the adhesive release liner can be removably attached to the bottom side of the overlay. The adhesive release liner can be configured to protect the adhesive agent at the bottom side of the overlay from contaminants. The overlay applicator can include a protective film removably attached to the top side of the overlay. The overlay applicator can include an alignment tab. The alignment tab can include an alignment mechanism. The overlay applicator further can include a pull tab. The pull can include a wiper. Other embodiments are provided.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An overlay applicator, comprising:

an overlay layer, wherein the overlay layer includes an overlay layer top side and an overlay layer bottom side, wherein the overlay layer has a first length, and wherein the overlay layer has a perimeter corresponding to an outer boundary of the overlay layer;
an adhesive positioned on the overlay layer bottom side;
an adhesive release liner, wherein the adhesive release liner includes a release liner top side and a release liner bottom side, and wherein the release liner top side is removably attached to the overlay layer bottom side;
a pull tab layer attached to the adhesive release liner, the pull tab layer for removing the adhesive release liner from the overlay layer bottom side, wherein the pull tab layer has a pull tab top side and a pull tab bottom side, and wherein at least a portion of the pull tab layer is located outside the perimeter of the overlay layer;
a wiper positioned on the pull tab top side of the pull tab layer such that the wiper faces away from the overlay layer when the pull tab layer is extended across the adhesive release liner so that the pull tab bottom side faces the release liner bottom side;
and
an alignment tab attached to the overlay layer, wherein the alignment tab includes an alignment mechanism positioned outside of the perimeter of the overlay layer, the alignment mechanism for removably engaging with an alignment base of an applicator machine or a cradle.

4 more elements

A method, comprising:

attaching an alignment mechanism of an overlay applicator to an alignment base of an applicator machine or a cradle supporting an electronic device, wherein the overlay applicator includes:
an overlay layer, wherein the overlay layer includes an overlay layer top side and an overlay layer bottom side, wherein the overlay layer has a first length, and wherein the overlay layer has a perimeter corresponding to an outer boundary of the overlay layer;
an adhesive positioned on the overlay layer bottom side;
an adhesive release liner, wherein the adhesive release liner includes a release liner top side and a release liner bottom side, and wherein the release liner top side is removably attached to the overlay layer bottom side;
a pull tab layer attached to the adhesive release liner, the pull tab layer for removing the adhesive release liner from the overlay layer bottom side, wherein the pull tab layer has a pull tab top side and a pull tab bottom side, and wherein at least a portion of the pull tab layer is located outside the perimeter of the overlay layer;
a wiper positioned on the pull tab top side of the pull tab layer such that the wiper faces away from the overlay layer when the pull tab layer is extended across the adhesive release liner so that the pull tab bottom side faces the release liner bottom side;
and
an alignment tab attached to the overlay layer, wherein the alignment tab includes the alignment mechanism positioned outside of the perimeter of the overlay layer, the alignment mechanism for removably engaging with the alignment base of the applicator machine or the cradle;
and
pulling the pull tab layer to wipe the wiper across a screen of the electronic device, to remove the adhesive release liner from the overlay layer bottom side, and to adhere the overlay layer bottom side to the screen of the electronic device, wherein the alignment mechanism aligns the overlay layer with the screen of the electronic device as the overlay layer bottom side is adhered to the screen.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/455,700Filed 8 Aug 2014 · us provisional application
Priority: 8 Aug 2013
Published: US 2015/0041069 A112 Feb 2015
Granted: 12 Sep 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

B32B 37/0046
Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding: characterised by constructional aspects of the apparatus
B32B 38/1833
Characterised by the control or constructional features of devices for tensioning, stretching or registration: positioning, e.g. registration or…
B29C 63/0004
Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor: component parts, details or accessories;…
B29C 63/024
Using sheet or web-like material: the sheet or web-like material being supported by a moving carriage

Family

Application61/863,895Us provisional application · filed 8 Aug 2013
Application61/871,864Us provisional application · filed 29 Aug 2013
Application61/890,271Us provisional application · filed 13 Oct 2013
US 2015/0041069 A1Pre-grant publication · published 12 Feb 2015
US 9,757,934 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.